Adi Litia on risks frontliners posed
OPPOSITION parliamentarian Adi Litia Qionibaravi says COVID-19 can be spread to virus-free communities by frontliners conducting vaccinations or collecting swabs.
She said a positive case announced in Korovou Town last week was the driver of a team conducting vaccination in various villages.
As a result, families in some villages and settlements in Tailevu North are locked down in their homes for 14 days, awaiting test results during their isolation period, she said.
Adi Litia acknowledged the 67 ration packs delivered by the Economy Ministry on Monday to families in Loganisebi, Dawasamu, Queen Victoria School, Ratu Kadavulevu School, Nataleira and Nasautoka where vaccination was allegedly held a week before by the Health Ministry team.
“I am concerned at reports that there are no supervision of locked down members of the community, and that no clear information was provided to the people of Tailevu North of this risk of exposure, in order that appropriate protective measures are implemented, and for proper masking and COVID-safe precautions to be taught and followed.”
She said ordinary people were not crossing borders.
“Therefore, the ministry must take stricter measures to test and also train frontliners on proper wearing of masks and adherence to the public health measures or COVID-safe measures/restrictions that the public are being advised to undertake.
“There has also been a tendency to blame the ordinary individuals when COVID is in the community but responsibility must also be taken by the ministry for their personnel who are COVID-infected and still in the field posing a risk to vulnerable communities in both rural and urban areas.”
Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr James Fong said the comments were taken onboard “as sustaining a higher level of COVID discipline among frontliners remain a high priority”.